Half of Ruby

Chapter 40 (Part 2)

Despite the dread budding within her chest, Ember had to admire the grandeur of the ballroom. The oaken floors, scrubbed raw from an afternoon of waxing, glittered like a single sheet of diamond under the crystal chandeliers. 

Stretching a hundred paces both length and width-wise, the ballroom flowed with men and women, both young and old, gems and flowers in a cave of light and shadows. A table of refreshments heaped against one end of the room, cakes and sandwiches and drinks attended by five solemn servants. A string quartet tuned in the corner, soft music weaving into the laughs and chatter of the attendants. 

Ember shrunk against the wall, staring helplessly at the throng of two-hundred-odd people. Where was she supposed to find Ronan in this mess? 

Her stomach rumbled painfully, and this time not from the corset. She was starving, having only eaten half a slice of cornbread since the beginning the day. 

Without a second thought, she strode over to the refreshments stand as quickly as her shoes would allow her, wincing at the tightness around her feet. 

More people flooded through the doorway, and the noise increased as her heart sank. 

How am I supposed to kiss Ronan? I cannot possibly take him away, especially since this is his birthday party. 

That was right. It was almost his birthday. 

Cursing herself, Ember came to a halt. I forgot to get him a present. 

The thought forced an absurd laugh to her lips. Of all the thoughts to think! And yet....

No. You cannot think of that now. She swallowed and stepped towards the food. It wouldn't matter, whether or not she got Ronan a present. 

But at the same time...he had done so much for her....

She approached the refreshments stand. A line of people traveled down the set of black-clothed tables before her, picking out little finger sandwiches and tarts. 

Her stomach rumbled so loudly she blushed. Picking up a porcelain plate at the end of the line, she headed over to the sandwiches. Shrimp, avocado, cucumber, roasted beef, chicken, tomatoes. Remembering her incident with Ronan and the figs, she forced herself to only take one of each sandwich. The attendant behind the sandwiches frowned, but with a dainty smile, she excused herself, escaping to the table of tarts. 

Strawberry and rhubarb, lemon and blueberry, vanilla, caramel and custard, dark chocolate, warm cinnamon and spices. Her plate heaping with delicacies, she slid away from the line of glaring gentlemen and women. 

Protecting her tower of food, she ducked towards the string quartet, forcing herself to nibble, and not gulp down, the first tart she touched—the caramel tart. 

The thick, sweet-salty cream melted in her mouth, the warm, buttery crust flaking off under her tongue. Her stomach roared with hunger as she downed the tart, inhaling a shrimp sandwich right afterwards. 

"That is a little too much for a young lady, don't you think?" 

She yelped, nearly upsetting her mountain of delicacies. 

Ronan's eyes glittered with amusement. "I almost didn't recognize you, Ember." 

She blushed, unable to speak as his gaze swept over her gown, her face. 

"But it's good to see you eating," he said. "Sometimes I am rather worried over how little you consume." 

Her ears burned at the note of affection in his voice.